Packed protest at Oasis Leisure Centre to save the sports hall

Scores of people showed up at a protest at The Oasis on Sunday to campaign against the demolition of the sports hall at the leisure venue.

The protest, organised by Save Oasis Swindon, took place on Sunday afternoon in the car park of the iconic Swindon sports centre.

SN1 Quads, Swindon Skate Social & Wiltshire Roller Derby, together with the Save Oasis Swindon Group, are demanding that the sports hall is kept instead of beig replaced by pitches.

The hall was used as a music venue as well as a sports facility before the centre closed amid the covid pandemic.

The protest took place as it is thought landlords Seven Capital will be putting in a planning application In a matter of months, which will see the Oasis Hall demolished and replaced by two pitches.

A spokesperson for the Save Oasis Swindon group said on Facebook: "The Save Oasis protest was an incredible success.

"Great turn out from the public, thank you! We had Wiltshire Roller Derby skaters and Worried About Mike performing live. He even sang Oasis tracks, and songs from bands who had played there. It was simply amazing!

"Even the original manager who opened the Oasis in 1976 turned up. Well done Swindon. Simply brilliant. We may have to protest again in the future, but for now the powers that be know how we feel about a Hall staying at the Oasis. And we aren't giving up. Well done Swindon!"

Anne Harris, of Wiltshire Roller Derby, also said on Facebook: "The Oasis was a huge part of my childhood and is now the original home venue for my Roller Derby team, so to see it abandoned and gathering dust is an absolute travesty.